to speak freely, and they immediately launched into excited
first-day-of-school chatter. Hergie had Helen pull up a chair next
to him instead of making her stand and talk across his desk.
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Apparently, he didn?t want any of the other students to hear what
he was going to say. That put Helen a little more at ease, but not
for long.
?I see you decided not to enroll in any Advanced Placement
classes this year,? he said, looking at her from over his half-moon
reading glasses.
?I didn?t think I?d be able to handle the extra workload,? she
mumbled, tucking her hands under her thighs and sitting on them
to keep them still.
?I think you?re capable of much more than you are willing to admit,?
Hergie said, frowning. ?I know you aren?t lazy, Helen. I also
know you are one of the brightest students in your class. So what?s
keeping you from taking advantage of all that this educational system
has to offer you??
?I have to work,? she said with a helpless shrug. ?I need to save
up if I want to go to college.?
?If you take AP classes and do well on your SATs, you will stand a
better chance of getting enough money for school through a scholarship
than by working for minimum wage at your father?s shop.?
?My dad needs me. We aren?t rich like everyone else on this island,
but we are there for each other,? she said defensively.
?That?s very admirable of you both, Helen,? Hergie replied in a
serious tone. ?But you are reaching the end of your high school
years and it?s time to start thinking about your own future.?
?I know,? Helen said, nodding. She could see from the worry
puckering his face that he cared, and that he was just trying to